Not a single starter

[droopdog7]

This team doesn't have a single person that would demand to start on a contending team.  Not a one.

Smart could start as a defensive specialist on that team with scoring but not an absolute.
Thomas could start but as a small scorer that isn't a PG, his role is much better off the bench.
Zeller?  Olynyk?  Sully?  Avery?  Please.  All very limited.

So sure, if they were lucky enough to find themselves on a good team that needs exactly what they bring, some on  our team could start on a contender.  Some maybe would.  But you can't look at a single one and say for sure that they would.

Man this team lacks talent.

[Ilikesports17]

Smart Bradley just completely outplayed Parker green
Both would probably start for Cleveland and that's 2 of the 4 favorites in the league

[DarkAzcura]

We have quite a few players that could easily find themselves in starting roles on contending teams across the league. People used to say the same thing when players like Lee and Green were on this team, yet there they were in Memphis starting for a contender. We have quite a few players who have just as much if not more impact than those two players (IT, Smart, Bradley).

So IMO, I wouldn't stretch it out that much. This team needs a wing that can get us 20 PPG consistently and efficiently. They will contend in the East with that type of player with this same roster..so yes, I would personally say we have plenty of starting caliber players.

[PhoSita]

Man this team lacks talent.

This is nothing new.

As DarkAzcura points out, a number of guys on this team could play a complementary role for a contender as a 4th or 5th option in the starting lineup.

But you're correct that nobody on this team would be a must-start on most of the better teams in the league.

Smart will get to that point eventually, I think.  Otherwise, I think we have to look to the draft (please keep losing, Nets) and perhaps try to pick up a soon-to-break-out youngish free agent.

[PhoSita]

People used to say the same thing when players like Lee and Green were on this team, yet there they were in Memphis starting for a contender.

I think there's a difference between "could play a starting role on a good team, provided there are multiple stars in the lineup" and "would definitely play a big role on any team they go to because their talent demands it."

[Tr1boy]

Like I pointed out on another thread the starting unti I would like to see on the floor is

Amir
Mickey
Smart
AB
Rozier

Lots of quickness, athleticism to give opposing teams trouble

Then have

Zeller
Ko
Crowder
Hunter
IT

Come off the bench. Let IT do his thing

[Lucky17]

Like I pointed out on another thread the starting unti I would like to see on the floor is

Amir
Mickey
Smart
AB
Rozier

As pointed out in that same thread, that unit gets murdered by most opposing teams.

[Tr1boy]

Like I pointed out on another thread the starting unti I would like to see on the floor is

Amir
Mickey
Smart
AB
Rozier

As pointed out in that same thread, that unit gets murdered by most opposing teams.

Sure it does. That is why CBS goes that small usually with 5 or less min.

Amir and Mickey help protect the rim

[DarkAzcura]

People used to say the same thing when players like Lee and Green were on this team, yet there they were in Memphis starting for a contender.

I think there's a difference between "could play a starting role on a good team, provided there are multiple stars in the lineup" and "would definitely play a big role on any team they go to because their talent demands it."

Oh I know. The way I look at this team right now is that we have two players that could play big roles on contending teams now and potentially in IT and Smart. IT isn't a starter on this team, but it's really just semantics. Anyone who can score like he does (efficiently) can play a big role on a contending team. Beyond those two, we have a few guys who could play complimentary roles on contending teams depending on fit, but no one else that is begging for a big role (ie replaceable-ish players). For the East, the Celtics need a 20 PPG efficient wing (or big man I guess). Imaginary player-IT-more developed Smart is high enough caliber to contend in the East. We have complimentary guys like Bradley, KO, Crowder, Sullinger, and Amir who can all start depending on the player we bring in eventually. Unfortunately, though, who knows who that player to be named is, and who really knows how Smart will develop in the end. Still a lot of questions to be answered with IT as our only surefire big time player currently.

[sofutomygaha]

Crowder would start for the Hawks.
Crowder would start for the Bulls.
Bradley would start for the Cavs.
Bradley would start for the Mavericks.
Amir would start for the Mavericks.
David Lee very recently did start for the Warriors.
Amir would start for the Rockets.
Amir would start for the Pacers.
Crowder would start for the Clippers.
Crowder would start for the Grizzlies.
Thomas would start for the Bucks.
Crowder would start for the Pelicans.
Olynyk would start for the Pelicans.
Amir would start for the Pelicans.
Bradley would start for the Thunder.
Sullinger would start for the Raptors.
Lee would start for the Raptors.
Smart would start for the Jazz.
Bradley would start for the Jazz.
Sullinger would start for the Wizards.
Lee would start for the Wizards.

[PhoSita]

Crowder would start for the Hawks.
Crowder would start for the Bulls.
Bradley would start for the Cavs.
Bradley would start for the Mavericks.
Amir would start for the Mavericks.
David Lee very recently did start for the Warriors.
Amir would start for the Rockets.
Amir would start for the Pacers.
Crowder would start for the Clippers.
Crowder would start for the Grizzlies.
Thomas would start for the Bucks.
Crowder would start for the Pelicans.
Olynyk would start for the Pelicans.
Amir would start for the Pelicans.
Bradley would start for the Thunder.
Sullinger would start for the Raptors.
Lee would start for the Raptors.
Smart would start for the Jazz.
Bradley would start for the Jazz.
Sullinger would start for the Wizards.
Lee would start for the Wizards.

I think you can make a case for a number of your selections. 

To put it simply, Smart, Bradley, Amir, and Crowder could slot in as a starter on a number of teams in the league -- teams where they wouldn't be expected to do much more than defend, rebound, hustle, keep the ball moving, cut to the rim, and hit open shots.


I'm less sure about Lee, Olynyk, or Sullinger starting, just because I think their defensive weaknesses make them harder to carry in a lineup.


Perhaps a better way to put it is that nobody on the Celtics would be a core piece (i.e. a central part of the game plan) on any of the better teams in the league. 

I think IT could go to a number of teams and be a big boon to their second unit, but on a good team he wouldn't be a key part of the game plan.  It's fair to wonder how happy IT would be on a team where he was "just" a bench scorer and not the primary scoring option anytime he hits the floor, as he is for the Celts.

[kne]

Crowder would start for the Hawks.
Crowder would start for the Bulls.
Bradley would start for the Cavs.
Bradley would start for the Mavericks.
Amir would start for the Mavericks.
David Lee very recently did start for the Warriors.
Amir would start for the Rockets.
Amir would start for the Pacers.
Crowder would start for the Clippers.
Crowder would start for the Grizzlies.
Thomas would start for the Bucks.
Crowder would start for the Pelicans.
Olynyk would start for the Pelicans.
Amir would start for the Pelicans.
Bradley would start for the Thunder.
Sullinger would start for the Raptors.
Lee would start for the Raptors.
Smart would start for the Jazz.
Bradley would start for the Jazz.
Sullinger would start for the Wizards.
Lee would start for the Wizards.

You're not suggesting all of these teams are contenders, right?

[sofutomygaha]

You're not suggesting all of these teams are contenders, right?

I don't know what the dude calls a contender. I figured I'd give him some options.

[sofutomygaha]

Perhaps a better way to put it is that nobody on the Celtics would be a core piece (i.e. a central part of the game plan) on any of the better teams in the league. 

The Celtics included!

[sofutomygaha]

I think IT could go to a number of teams and be a big boon to their second unit, but on a good team he wouldn't be a key part of the game plan.  It's fair to wonder how happy IT would be on a team where he was "just" a bench scorer and not the primary scoring option anytime he hits the floor, as he is for the Celts.

Are the Jazz good? Couldn't you see IT starting for the Jazz and being their primary scorer?